Best of the Best?

#4 Porsche Vision 920 is a concept that pushes the boundaries between race track and road, blending Porsche’s racing heritage with its road car aspirations. Inspired by the LMP1 race cars, including the 919, which secured Porsche’s remarkable 19 Le Mans victories, the Vision 920 was designed as a super sports car for both road use and customer motorsport. The design team at Weissach sought to merge the brand’s iconic design language with the functional and aesthetic features of prototype racers, resulting in a car with a central cockpit and a body that appears to hover just above the ground, accentuated by deep air ducts. The Vision 920 stands as one of Porsche’s most extreme concept cars, potentially highlighting Porsche’s future endeavors.

#3 Porsche Vision 916 answers the question of how minimalist a modern Porsche can be, with a concept designed by an intern from Porsche’s design team. Inspired by the compact Porsche 916 prototype from the early 1970s that never made it into production, the Vision 916 is an all-electric sports car powered by four wheel-hub motors, a nod to Ferdinand Porsche’s first all-wheel-drive Lohner-Porsche race car from 1900. With its lightweight design, the Vision 916 promises exceptional driving pleasure and evokes the spirit of early Porsche prototypes, suggesting it would be right at home on iconic roads like the Grossglockner or Stelvio Pass, just as the first 356 and 911 were. This minimalist concept car not only reflects Porsche’s heritage but also paves the way for an electric future in the hypercar segment.

#2 Mission R concept car is a bold step into the future of motorsport and user experience, pushing the boundaries of what a high-performance electric vehicle can be. Drawing inspiration from the world of e-sports, the Mission R was designed to bridge the gap between virtual racing and real-world driving, offering a futuristic user experience that appeals to the next generation of enthusiasts. With its all-electric drivetrain, the Mission R delivers an impressive 1,073 horsepower, showcasing Porsche’s commitment to sustainability without sacrificing performance. Its design is as forward-thinking as its technology, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber body, a striking aerodynamic form, and a fully digital cockpit that integrates with gaming platforms for a seamless virtual-to-physical connection. The Mission R pushes the limits of electric racing by combining e-sports culture with real-world performance, boldly indicating digital innovation and electrified power.

Honorable Mentions

Porsche Vision “Race Service” concept van, unveiled in 2018, offers a futuristic take on the idea of space and mobility, questioning how a Porsche could embody these elements while remaining true to the brand’s performance heritage. Inspired by the legendary VW Type 3 “Race Service” vans of the past, the design team reimagined this concept with all-electric drive, an expansive, lounge-like interior, and autonomous driving capabilities.

Porsche Boxster Bergspyder, inspired by the legendary 1954 Porsche 356 Speedster is an idea of a modern-day single-seater sports car. Built on a 981 Boxster chassis, this minimalist roadster eliminates the roof, door handles, and windscreen, instead opting for a flat, transparent wind deflector, much like Porsche’s hillclimb racing cars from the late 1960s. A distinctive cover from the windscreen to the engine compartment nods to the 356 Speedster’s design, while the use of lightweight materials such as imitation leather and carbon fiber reinforces its racing DNA. Inside, the cockpit features elements from the Porsche 918 Spyder, blending two worlds of heritage and modernity.

Porsche’s Vision 918 RS concept car is an evolution of the groundbreaking 918 Spyder, building on the hybrid technology and performance that defined the original. With the 918 Spyder already a milestone in Porsche’s history for its full-carbon body, variable aerodynamics, and being the first production car to lap the Nürburgring in under seven minutes, the Vision 918 RS takes these achievements to the next level. Designed to blur the lines between race car and road car, this concept introduces enhanced drive and chassis technology, paired with a dramatically aerodynamically optimized body that highlights Porsche’s commitment to pushing the limits of performance. The 918 RS represents the ultimate expression of the 918’s legacy, aimed at delivering unrivaled performance both on the track and the street, solidifying Porsche’s dominance in the super sports car segment.

#1 Porsche 911 Vision Safari stands as one of the finest concept cars Porsche has ever created, blending the brand’s racing legacy with unmatched off-road capability. Drawing inspiration from the 1970s 911 SC Safari, which triumphed in the grueling East African Safari Rally, the Vision Safari is a modern reinterpretation of Porsche’s off-road sports car legacy. Built on the 991-generation 911, it features a raised suspension, reinforced wheel arches, massive bumpers, and a stripped-down rally cockpit with race seats and a roll cage—an embodiment of Porsche’s dedication to performance and endurance. This concept car doesn’t just look the part; it was put to the test on the gravel tracks of Weissach, where it delivered a thrilling display of drifting and agility. With a unique design feature like the helmet-cooling shelf above the fan, the Vision Safari demonstrates Porsche’s attention to detail and drive to create something exceptional. A true homage to Porsche’s unmatched ability to combine motorsport heritage with off-road adventure, the Vision Safari stands as one of the best concept cars the brand has ever produced.

Porsche’s concept cars are not just flights of fancy; they are beacons of innovation and inspiration. While most will never see the open road, they serve as crucial stepping stones in Porsche’s ongoing evolution, influencing both production models and the automotive industry as a whole. Through its concept cars, Porsche continues to challenge the status quo, setting the stage for a future where tradition and innovation coexist seamlessly. These visionary vehicles remind us that the future of automotive excellence is limited only by the boundaries of imagination.